'Fire In Your Eyes' (Thorfinn x Reader) - Vinland Saga

Venlighed

Following his look and the direction Askeladd's men are laughing at, I spot the blonde from earlier. Sat on a small shaved trunk alone on the opposite side of the bonfire, tankard in hand, crouched over and scowling at the flames. When did he get there? W-Wait- He's Thorfinn?? That's who I remind Askeladd of?

He responds by sitting up and looking straight at Askeladd and then at me. What is it with this guy? I am nothing like him.

"Oy Askeladd, just forget about the kid! I'll just take his share!" one of his men barks as more laughter erupts from the group gathered near him.

They clearly don't take him seriously. Is he one of the soldier's sons? I glance around, most of the men are blonde so it could be anyone. He could be Askeladd's son, they do look similar... if you squint. I would say Thorfinn is more attractive but all I have been met with is his cursing glare and hideous odour... I need to stop drinking.

I look back to where Thorfinn is and he and his little trunk have vanished. They must of run him off. No wonder they laugh at him. Doesn't concern me thou- I hear a clunk and something knocks against my right leg. I look down. A trunk? I look up, and Thorfinn is scowling 2 feet away from my face and it makes me jump out of my skin. How the fuck did he get here so fast?! 

He keeps his eyes fixed on me as he places his seat down. The men aren't laughing anymore. And I can feel eyes burning through the back of my head. Thorfinn's eyes move from me to Leif, who is standing equidistant to me as Thorfinn but on my left.

Leif moves to speak when shouts emanate from one of the boar fires. Gorm has now taken to yelling at the men as he was growing exceedingly impatient for his meal. He grabs a nearby crate and drags it behind me, motioning to it as he starts to walk in the direction of the tussle, whispering in English "Stay here. That's an order. I'll be right back."

Ok, I'm going to have to talk to him about this 'order' thing, don't want him suddenly over using it. Wait what- he's leaving me alone with this lot?! No! Order me to come with you! Come back!! .... he's gone.

Thorfinn's eyes shoot daggers at Leif as he walks away. I find it hard to expect any other expression from him now. I reluctantly sit and take a long drink, my cup now empty. It burns but I need it. I can sense Thorfinn hovering over me. Don't sit down. Don't sit down. Don't sit down.

He huffs and takes a seat. His shoulder briefly brushing against mine as he does. The fuck is HE huffing about?! He's the one who sat next to me uninvited. Well, I suppose Askeladd asked him over but why did he choose to sit next to me?

I keep my head forward, and wait for Leif to return. He's disappeared into the crowd... most of which, I now realise are staring at me... wait not at me. At Thorfinn. He is drawing more attention to us and I don't like it.

Askeladd's eyes flick to us both "Hmmm that's new." he mutters musingly. 

"Shut up, baldy!" Thorfinn grumbles.

It speaks!? Did he just call Askeladd baldy? My Norse is still rusty, but he definitely just insulted him. Could really be his son. I wonder what Askeladd means by "that's new"? It doesn't seem like Thorfinn is the most sociable of the bunch. Maybe it was him joining us? I don't know. Doesn't matter. He's so close to me... and I'm stuck here until Leif returns. No, if I leave now it will reek of insubordination. Ok. Just sit still and don't say anything.

I watch Thorfinn in my peripheral and since cursing at Askeladd he's remained in one place, leaning on his thighs staring deep into his drink. I can hear his slow steady breathing. Like a wolf.

We remain quiet, some of the men start cheering as the meat is finally being served. Thorfinn starts to shift. Suddenly he stands, downs his drink and walks off towards the fire. I watch him weave through the crowd and disappear again.

I let my shoulders go and sigh loudly. Thank fuck for that! That was probably one of the most awkward few minutes ever. Maybe even worse than the time Alcott "stumbled across" me swimming naked in the brook. He says he never saw anything but we never quite looked at each other in the same way after that day. I bite my bottom lip, chewing on it as I secretly reminisce.

His big green eyes, tousled blonde hair that was even longer than mine at one point, his mother gave up chasing him to cut it. He was strong and muscular, always training with his sister and helping everyone in the village. Heat rises in my chest. I regret not telling him how I felt, or asking him how he felt. His father had high hopes for a potential engagement but Alcott was repulsed by the idea. He'd rant at me and Luella, pacing back and forth, he'd shout about how he "only wanted to marry someone he desperately loved". I don't know if he meant me... I guess I'll never know.

I should stop thinking about this. It isn't worth the weight I feel in my chest. I touch the cold damp crate underneath me, reminding myself where I am. Wood. I touch the ground, grazing my fingers over the dirt and rocks. Earth. I touch the fur lining on my hood. Soft. I breathe in the smoke in the air. Hot. I feel the steel dagger pressed in my boot. Sharp. I shake the memories from my mind for now.

I hear footsteps approaching Thank god Leif's back! "General, can I talk-?"

"Tch, look at people when you talk to them." That voice? Norse?! I feel a strange shiver down my spine as I look up. Thorfinn is stood in front of me, holding two plates of stewed vegetables, hog roast and a few pieces of bread, waving one in my face. Did he just... go to get me food?

He thrusts the plate in my face again, waiting for me to accept it. "Take it then!" He snaps, making me quickly grab the plate as he clumsily nudges past my knees and takes his seat again. 

He eats loudly and quickly, chewing with his mouth open, really giving it to that hog roast. I am far too perplexed to eat. I turn my head to unashamedly watch him; perfect teeth tearing chunks out of the meat and inhaling spoons of stew. It smelled really good but he ate as though the hog would grow legs and run off.. or maybe for fear of others taking his food? I can picture that, though there seems to be enough for all, the brutes are known to steal each others food. He seems the youngest of Askeladd's men; would make him an easy target.

Thorfinn stops eating and reaches to his side, firmly tucked into his belt is a bottle. He pours some golden liquid into his tankard which is resting between his feet, then offers me the bottle. Looking at me as if to say "Come on don't make me tell you again!" I grab the bottle smelling the open top, it smells like what I drank before! I pour myself a drink and hand the bottle back to Thorfinn who re-corks it with one hand, slides it back into his belt and continues eating. The way he moves is fluid, steady and certain. It's hard to guess what he's thinking or feeling, if he even thinks or feels anything besides annoyance. Maybe too many blows to head? Either way this was a gesture of kindness. I can figure out his reasons later.

"Thank you..." I offer in Norse. He halts eating momentarily, a piece of bread soaked in stew hovering in front of his lips. He grunts and resumes eating. I'm slowly starting to realise that not all of them are bad...

Leif clears his throat. Oh good, you're back.

"I got you some-" He is also holding two plates and reaches one out to offer me. I lift mine in acknowledgement, a warm feeling humming across my chest. Leif looks between me and Thorfinn, mouth open slightly. Thorfinn pays no mind to him and continues growling into his food. I can't help but smirk. I gotta say General, for whatever reason... I'm glad Thorfinn got there first.

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Hello guuuuys! Thank you for the awesome support so far!!!

 Sorry for the delayed update it's been a hectic few days but here we go. Next chapter is where things get a bit... saucy shall we say? 

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